In a disturbing case in Pennsylvania that has shaken the community, a 35-year-old mother, A. Gregorio, and a 52-year-old grandmother, S. Louder, were arrested for the lengthy and severe mistreatment of a 12-year-old child. According to reports, they kept the 12-year-old girl to her bed every night while she slept, fed her pet food, and purposefully overmedicated her before admitting her to the hospital. The accused, Gregorio and Louder, face various accusations, including aggravated assault of a victim under 13, conspiracy, unlawful restraint, false detention, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and evidence tampering.
The terrible details emerged after the young victim, who was suffering from seizure-like symptoms, was admitted to the hospital. During her therapy, medical workers discovered marks on her body that indicated abuse. While at the hospital, the girl’s mother acknowledged that she had given her daughter over-the-counter medication, including Benadryl and melatonin, shortly before the symptoms appeared. An investigation was promptly launched, finding a pattern of harsh treatment inflicted on the girl by her own family.
According to police records, the girl was frequently tied in her bed for long periods of time, sometimes up to 12 hours, and was made to discharge herself where she lay. The shackles resulted in not just physical injury but also severe emotional trauma. The girl allegedly informed investigators that being restrained made her “mad” and “hurt.”
Adding to the horrors, it was revealed that the young girl was forced to consume pet food, a disgusting conduct that her mother admitted to during a phone conversation with a witness. She allegedly told another witness that she did not like restraining her daughter but that her mother, Louder, was “making” her do it. Authorities revealed that Louder and Gregorio had put surveillance cameras in the girl’s bedroom to monitor her and prevent her from escaping the confinement. The child’s misery was exacerbated by her extreme malnutrition. Prosecutors said the girl weighed only 50 pounds when she was admitted to the hospital, putting her in the 0.01 percentile for her age group, a key piece of evidence of long-term neglect and abuse.
During the investigation, police identified situations in which Gregorio beat the daughter in the head with a broom, and, rather than seeking medical attention, Louder allegedly sealed the wound with glue. Around the same time, the girl arrived at school sporting a black eye. When questioned, she explained that she had walked into a wall. Soon after, she was removed from traditional schooling and enrolled in cyber school, completely isolating her from anyone who could see her injuries.
The community has responded with fury and disbelief. District Attorney S. Sanguedolce emphasized his dismay, saying, “The abuse of this child offends the sense of decency of every mother, grandmother, and otherwise respectable person imaginable.” The DA has committed to seeking the greatest penalty authorized by law to send a message that such horrific action would be dealt with harsh justice. Louder and Gregorio are currently being jailed on $125,000 cash bail. They are awaiting their court hearing on May 6, when they will face the legal consequences of their acts. The case emphasizes not just the accused’s troubling behavior, but also the fragility of youngsters who rely on adults for care and safety.
The community and authorities are coming together to guarantee that justice is delivered. The story serves as a sharp reminder of the need for child protection programs. As the judicial process unfolds, many people hope that it will bring closure and justice to the young victim, who suffered horribly at the hands of those who were entrusted to protect her.
